What if we could create blood stem cells on demand, bypassing the need for bone marrow donors entirely? In a major leap forward for regenerative medicine, researchers in Spain have found a way to reliably generate blood-producing stem cells from scratch—by switching on just seven genes in stem cells. This scientific milestone could transform how we treat leukemia and other blood disorders in the coming years.
Key Points at a Glance
- Scientists identified seven genes that can convert stem cells into blood-forming precursors.
- The lab-grown cells successfully regenerated the full blood system in adult mice.
- This is a major step toward producing off-the-shelf human blood stem cells.
- Findings lay groundwork for new treatments in leukemia and bone marrow failure.
- Human applications are promising, as the same genes exist in our genome.
For patients with blood cancers like leukemia, a bone marrow transplant is often the only hope. But matching a compatible donor is notoriously difficult, leaving many without viable treatment options. What if instead, doctors could produce a patient’s blood stem cells in the lab—custom-made, donor-free, and ready to regenerate the immune system from scratch? That vision is one step closer to reality thanks to a remarkable breakthrough by researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute.
The team, led by Dr. Anna Bigas, has identified a precise genetic formula—a set of seven genes—that can reprogram embryonic stem cells into blood stem cell precursors, known scientifically as haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These are the foundational cells that give rise to all types of blood cells, including those that defend us from infections.
Using a genome-wide screen in mice, the researchers meticulously tested thousands of genes to determine which combinations could unlock the elusive blood-making capability in stem cells. The seven-gene set they discovered turned out to be a molecular key. When these genes were activated in mouse embryonic stem cells, the result was nothing short of astonishing: the stem cells transformed into functional HSPCs capable of sustaining a full, working blood system in living adult mice.
The success didn’t stop at basic blood regeneration. These lab-grown cells also produced complex immune system components—suggesting they’re more than just biologically viable. They could, in theory, perform the same roles as naturally occurring stem cells in bone marrow transplants.
“This is a major proof of concept,” says Dr. Bigas. “We now have a clear set of genetic instructions that can coax a stem cell down the path of becoming a blood-producing cell. That’s been one of the holy grails of regenerative medicine.”
Even more promising is the fact that the seven genes identified in mice are also found in humans—and they are highly conserved, meaning their genetic sequences and functions have remained largely unchanged through evolution. That evolutionary conservation gives researchers confidence that the same approach may work in people, though more research is needed to confirm this.
The team’s work is part of the ambitious Making Blood project, funded by the European Research Council. Its goal is to create a reliable, scalable platform for producing human HSPCs in the lab. Such a platform could revolutionize the way we treat not only leukemia but a host of other conditions requiring bone marrow reconstitution, including some immune disorders and anemias.
If the human trials succeed, it could mark the beginning of a new medical era—where blood stem cells are not harvested, but manufactured. Patients who currently face months or years on bone marrow donor registries may one day walk into a hospital and receive tailor-made stem cells grown from their own tissues or universal donors.
In an age where stem cell therapies often seem just beyond reach, this study brings regenerative medicine into sharper focus. It’s a compelling demonstration that the key to complex biological engineering might be simpler—and closer—than we imagined.
